Member-only story

American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap

Daniel Knight

·6.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy And The Illusion Of War On The Cheap

3 min read

530 View Claps

83 Respond

Save

Listen

The United States has a long history of fighting wars on the cheap. From the Vietnam War to the Iraq War, American policymakers have often sought to achieve their objectives with minimal cost in terms of blood and treasure. This strategy has often backfired, however, leading to protracted and costly conflicts.

Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap

by Thomas Waldman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2684 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages

The illusion of war on the cheap is based on the belief that it is possible to achieve victory without paying a significant price. This belief is often rooted in a number of factors, including:

The belief that American technology and firepower can overcome any enemy.
The belief that the United States can always outspend its enemies.
The belief that the United States can fight wars without incurring significant casualties.

The reality, however, is that war is always a costly endeavor. Even the most technologically advanced armies cannot guarantee victory, and the United States cannot always outspend its enemies. Moreover, the United States has never fought a war without incurring significant casualties.

The consequences of the illusion of war on the cheap can be devastating. Protracted and costly conflicts can erode public support for the war effort and damage the economy. They can also lead to the loss of American lives and the rise of anti-American sentiment around the world.

The United States must abandon the illusion of war on the cheap and adopt a more realistic approach to conflict. This approach should be based on the following principles:

The United States must be prepared to pay the full cost of war, both in terms of blood and treasure.
The United States must use its military power wisely and only when it is in the national interest.
The United States must work to build international consensus before using military force.

By adopting a more realistic approach to conflict, the United States can avoid the pitfalls of the illusion of war on the cheap and achieve its objectives in a more effective and sustainable way.

Vicarious Warfare: American Strategy and the Illusion of War on the Cheap

by Thomas Waldman

5 out of 5